Avalon 2025: Innovaero unveils OWL X precision munition test demonstrator

Innovaero unveiled the test demonstrator of its new OWL X precision munition (in the foreground) during Avalon 2025. In the background, the mid-weight OWL A is on the right-hand side, with the OWL B on the left. (BAE Systems Australia)

The Australian-based company Innovaero has unveiled the first test demonstrator of its new One-Way Loitering X (OWL X) precision munition at the Avalon 2025 international airshow.

Marcus Colman, CEO of Innovaero, said in a statement on 26 March that the company is building on the success of the OWL B programme to create an expanded range of loitering munitions for customers.

The OWL X is being developed as a Counter-Robotic and Autonomous Systems (C-RAS) platform. Australian media has reported that Innovaero, which is a partner of BAE Systems Australia (BAESA), won an Australian Army Innovation Day (AID) 2023 contract to develop the C-RAS.

According to the Australian Army Research Centre, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD), through AID 2023, sought to identify and select a C-RAS platform capable of detecting, identifying, targeting, and countering RAS threats to ground troops.

The OWL X is a canister-launched unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with folded, pop-out wings. A model of the precision munition displayed at Avalon 2025 shows that the UAV is powered by a small gas-turbine engine. This engine is potentially a 3D-printed engine developed by the Australian company, Aurora Labs Limited (also known as A3D).

Aurora Labs said in August 2024 that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Innovaero to supply micro gas-turbine engines for testing on OWL munitions.

Janes has reached out to Innovaero and BAESA for additional information.